Accommodation in London

Question

Thank you very much for passing on my message, although I am not a GTI member yet. And I am still hesitating, because I wonder if I have a real chance of finding someone who is interested in a holiday in the north of Germany. When I look through the lists I only find 2 or 3 members who would like to go to Berlin or Munich. Could you give me good advice, please? How can I find a family in London who would take us as paying guests then?
Yours sincerely

Elfi Lindner

Answer
Dear Elfi

The best advice I can give you is to go to the website
http://www.visitbritain.com/VB3-de-DE/index.aspx
and then
http://www.visitbritain.com/VB3-de-DE/productsearch/accommodation/accomsearch.aspx
where you should be able to find information that will help
you to select somewhere to stay as paying guests.

Yours sincerely
Kath Botterill
Green Theme International Home Exchange Holidays
http://www.gti-home-exchange.com

Adding Rental option to my Home Exchange listing

Question
Hello I'm a member of Green Theme and we are doing an exchangue during July. I was wondering since the apartment will be free in August, and we don't want to do an exchange, can I offer it for rent?
Thank you, M.Strova

Answer
Dear Sig.na Strova

Thank you for your email and your question regarding
your apartment which will be vacant during August.
Yes, you may certainly offer it for rental during that
month on the web-site. You simply need to login at:

http://www.gti-home-exchange.com/ihea/memberlogin.cfm

using your email address and password. When you arrive
in your own Member Area, click on the link
'View/Amend my Details' which will bring up your registration
form. Scroll down the form until you see the various exchange
options under Type of Exchange, and click on the box
'Rental offered'.

It would be advisable to add how much the rental
is further down your listing in one of the Description boxes,
indicating whether it is per week/per month.

There is no additional charge for adding this extra option
to your listing, which I hope results in a let for you for the
month of August, when the apartment is not required by
your family.

If you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate
to contact me again..

Yours sincerely
Kath Botterill
Green Theme International Home Exchange Holidays
Email: GTI_Home_Exchange@compuserve.com
http://www.gti-home-exchange.com

'Do you have a story to tell'

Looking back through the GTI Archives, I came across the following article written by Wendy Painter way back in September 1994, long before the internet became such an important part of every day life for many and made it so much easier to make contact with likeminded people interested in home exchange. The New Zealand Outlook publication had asked the question ‘Do you have a story to tell’, which prompted Wendy to turn her hand to journalism and write to them about her exchange trip which was published in September 1994.

“Celebrating an Anniversary”

“Our journey of a lifetime – and it took nearly a lifetime to make the trip.

In May 1992 we celebrated our 34th Wedding Anniversary, having both retired. I remarked to my husband that our next Anniversary would be a Coral one and I would like some, not of course from a reef, but to pick it up from a beach in Fiji on our way to realise our life’s ambition to see New Zealand. Green Theme International put us in touch with a family in Wellington who wanted to visit relations in the UK.

It was all arranged via letters, photographs and the odd phone call, and finally we departed from Gatwick in September 1993 en-rout to Fiji via Los Angeles. We couldn’t believe how easy it all was. Having previously only been out of the UK once as far as the Canary Islands, this was quite an adventure.

We spent seven weeks in New Zealand living in a lovely wooden house in Wellington (typical of the houses in New Zealand), whilst its owners were in our house in Cornwall. We were met and made very welcome by their parents, whilst our son was welcoming our exchange partners to Cornwall.

While in New Zealand we hired a camper van, another new experience, and travelled as far as 90 Mile Beach, which is quite a long journey from Wellington in North Island. The country was as beautiful as we expected, and the people were so friendly and kind to us. We have nothing but praise for Air New Zealand and the cabin crew.

When we got back to England our family informed us that they would like to emigrate and if the Government approved our application, would we go with them? You bet! So here we go again with Air New Zealand via Fiji of course.”

Shortly after this before she and her family departed permanently for New Zealand, Wendy Painter called in to our office to show me her published article, and photographs etc of their home exchange trip. I have often wondered over the years how they all settled down and whether they ever did an exchange in the reverse direction at a later date?

Discover the magical capital of Galicia in Northwest Spain

Santiago de Compostela - World Heritage Site in Spain
by Seb Jay

Far away from the popular Spanish Costas is one of Spain's most striking World Heritage Sites - Santiago de Compostela. The city is situated in the Celtic heartland of Northwest Spain and is surrounded by mesmerizing countryside landscapes that would be more at home in Southern Ireland or Scotland. A beautiful city in its own right, Santiago de Compostela was assured of its status as a tourist magnet many centuries ago. The Apostle Saint James - the first of the twelve apostles to suffer martyrdom - is said to have been buried here, and since the 10th century AD the city has been a focus for the pilgrimage along the Way of the Apostle Saint James.

Today, the final two weeks of July in Santiago de Compostela is a procession of festivities, the 'main event' being the annual Festival of the Apostle St James on 25 July. For tourists, this is perhaps the best time to visit the city as the whole place comes alive. There are fireworks, street entertainers, exhibitions, concerts and stalls offering as much local produce and delicacies as you can manage. On the 25th there is the religious ceremony in honor of St James - the King's Offering to the Apostle.

When visiting Santiago de Compostela it is impossible not to be impressed by the astounding architecture around the city. Elaborate stonework is everywhere, with examples of romanesque, medieval, gothic and renaissance architecture dominating the skyline. At its historic heart is the Parador de Turismo de Santiago in the Plaza del Obradoiro - the most impressive of all the architectural designs in the city.

Getting There

Santiago de Compostela airport provides easy access to the city for international travelers. Domestic and international flights from cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and London arrive at the airport with some regularity. The city is approximately 12km from the airport so booking a hire car in advance at http://www.your-carhire.com for pick up at the airport is advisable.

Seb Jay is a freelance writer specialising in the origination of web content for http://www.your-carhire.com

7 Things You'll Need When Visiting Paris for the First Time...

As we now have many home exchange offers located in Paris, and doubtless many American members will be interested in these offers, it seemed appropriate to include in the weblog the following article from Tourist Travel.com
by Thomas Schueneman


1 - Your Passport
Of course, but if you like to collect stamps in your passport, you'll have to ask...

2 - A Little French
Yes, it is true that many Europeans speak English... But you're in France, after all, and you'll go a long way in avoiding the famed "snootiness" of the French if you learn -and use - some basic French phrases... They'll love to help you as you stumble along in really bad French!

3 - A Map...
If nothing else, you can stand there, hopelessly lost on a Parisian street corner, and stare at your map... someone is sure to offer to help. Make sure you say "Bonjour and Merci..."

4 - An Umbrella...
"April in Paris" sounds romantic. It's an American myth that April in Paris is the most lovely time to visit. May is better, but always expect some rain and always be prepared for changeable weather! The sun might be shining when you leave your hotel, but it might start raining any time!

5 - Something besides jeans and sneakers...
That's fine for walking around and seeing the sights of Paris. But when dining out, show respect for the dining experience that the French take so seriously... Dress for dinner, and you're likely to get treated a lot better (remember those few French phrases you learned on the plane ride over...)

6 - Your Cigarettes...
Are you a smoker? Then you'll love Paris! Smoking is allowed pretty much everywhere... If you're not smoker, then you'll just have to put up with the second hand smoke... Don't even THINK of complaining about it!

7 - A Sense of Adventure...
Ahh... Paris, the City of Lights; the City of Love... All around are wonders of culture and history. Be a little curious and adventurous and you'll find no lack of wonderful things to see, do, and enjoy. Paris is arguably the most beautiful city in Europe, enjoy it's wonders with a sense of adventure...




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tom lives in San Francisco and works as a sound engineer, freelance writer, and entrepreneur. He enjoys traveling, nature, reading, photography, and music

Join the Summer Holiday Swap Shop

So you want to have beach views from a Sydney apartment, be seconds from snow-covered slopes in a Swiss chalet or paddle in the pool of a villa in Provence? Well, pick your fantasy picture postcard and bag a free holiday home. From Parisian studio apartments to 10-bedroom Moroccan villas they won’t cost you a penny. The catch? While you’re living the high life in a free luxury pad, your own home is under siege back in Blighty.

Welcome to the worldwide home exchange club where it’s estimated more than 250,000 swaps take place every year, according to Channel 4 Homes. Some just exchange house keys, but others trade cars, pets, gym memberships and even best friends to create a budget holiday that includes every luxury.

And with more people surfing the internet, the worldwide swap shop is growing. For the humble price of membership, online exchange agencies facilitate holidays as far afield as Asia, Iceland and Australia.

Cut-price airfares and the absence of hefty accommodation bills can take you further around the globe – and ensure your spending money lasts the distance.

This is a quote from an article in The Scotsman - 6th May 2005
By Lisa Haynes, PA Features. Click here to read the full article

Last Minute Home Exchange List

Question?
Hello, Why do we have 28 days left on the list? I thought we paid for a
year? Thanks for the reply. Rayne

Answer
Dear Rayne

Thank you for your email. Your membership is for a
full year. The '28 days left on the list' refers to the
Last Minute List to which you must have added yourselves
(perhaps inadvertently?).

The system allows you to place yourselves on this
countdown list for a period of 31 days to give your
listing an additional boost, if you are getting close to
your desired exchange dates and have not yet found
a suitable exchange. Once the 31 days have expired
you are automatically taken off the list, and if you
still want to boost your listing it is necessary to
add yourselves to the Last Minute List again from
within your own administrationarea by clicking
on the hyperlink 'Boost my Listing'.

The Last Minute List is obviously intended for use
by those members who are seeking exchanges at
comparatively short within the next 3 month period
and we do, of course, have to rely on members to
use the list appropriately.

Best regards
Kath Botterill

Show ages of Children in Home Exchange party?

Question?

Hi

I first discovered your site a few weeks ago, and printed off some details that really interested me. I have come back to join up, in order to contact one particular listing (HE15187). However, I hadn't noticed that their listing was due to expire on 22 April 05. If I become a member, would you be able to pass on an email to those owners on my behalf? The property appealed not only because of its location but because of the ages of their children.

May I say that I think your site is excellently organized and presented. The only improvement I would suggest is that in the info box where members list their personal details, in the "Children" box, instead of just stating number of children, they should state the age of the children, too. For me this is the single most important factor (after the location of the property) that I am interested in, as the attraction of home-exchange for me is finding a truly child-friendly house well stocked with toys, books, videos, etc that will keep my little kids happy.

With best wishes.
Melissa Graham

Answer

Dear Melissa

Thank you for your email. There would be no problem in passing on the email address of the member in Majorca whose listing has just expired, once you become a member.

Thank you also for your feedback regarding the information provided on children and that the ages of children should be shown. I will bear your suggestion in mind when we come to carry out our next imminent upgrade on the site. I must say that I agree with you that it is information that is very necessary when making the decision as to whether the prospective exchange partners will be compatible with your family.

Yours sincerely
Kath Botterill

Home again!

I am back in harness after an enjoyable 2½ weeks
in England's Lake District, which in April/May
looks as beautiful, clean and well cared for as
ever. It was nice to see the hedgerows being
managed and cared for, and as a result the
wildlife and wild flowers are flourishing. So
until the next time .......

A pity I did not notice Blogger.com's new
facility for mobile blogging sooner - I could
have added some blog articles whilst on the
move ...

Now back to work!

House- and Pet-Sitting Exchange

"Oh! to be in England now that April's there"

As a result of our recent reciprocal House-, Granny- and Pet-sitting arrangement, it is now the turn of our house-sitting partners to care for our house and our two golden retrievers, Gemma and Charlie. Necessity dictates that we need to be in England for a short time, and whilst we are extremely reluctant to leave our dogs behind, Gemma is now such a senior old lady that it really is the only sensible thing to do. With this type of arrangement, the preparation, information and advice that it is necessary to leave for your house and pet carers is much the same as for a home exchange and takes careful preparation.

Although I shall be out of the office for approximately eighteen days from 19th April, I shall not be completely out of touch and will be available to answer any home exchange queries you may have via email.

Long Term Exchanges

"They sailed away for a year and a day"

I have noticed recently a slight increase in the number of people enquiring about or registering details for Longer Term Exchanges.

A former member wrote: “You may remember that I was one of your clients for house exchange in New Zealand, back in 1999/2000. I am writing to enquire if “Green Theme” is still operative, because we might be interested in looking for a house exchange again in New Zealand, this time for a year in Christchurch?”

We are, of course, very much still operative and happy to help people in finding an extended stay arrangement. However, when I receive enquiries about long term exchanges I do try to qualify my reply and be really realistic about the possibilities because there are far fewer people seeking long term exchanges than shorter term holiday exchanges. In addition, people seeking longer term exchange opportunities very often have very specific reasons for wishing to re-locate for a year or so: ie for work, for study purposes, to research a locality with a view to possible re-location, friends or family already living in the area etc. They are therefore much more likely to be very precise about their destination and to have other very specific criteria such as proximity to schools and standard of education facilities, accessibility to international schools if language is a barrier, availability of language schools, health facilities, ease of access to work location etc. When people do intend to work there can also be visa and other immigration implications for some destinations for stays of longer duration.

Of course some of the above criteria do not apply to retired people who are likely to be the most flexible group in the long term exchange category. I do not mean to put people off seeking long term exchanges: it is not impossible and if the criteria on both sides match up, it can work out extremely well and make possible in economic terms something which would be impossible by any other means.

Here are a few links to the listings of members who have recently joined seeking long term exchanges:
HE16702 House in PENCLAWDD, SWANSEA, WALES
HE16706 House in FORRESTERS BEACH, NSW, AUSTRALIA
HE16710 House in SOUTH PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
HE16713 House in MEDFORD, OREGON, USA

Seniors and Home Exchange

Senior Exchanges
I have never been keen on pigeon-holing people into groups, but the marketing gurus tell us that ‘segmentation’ is the only way to be really successful in business communications. I have to admit that certain groups do display very distinct characteristics successful marketers use to their advantage. Home exchange for example is particularly suited to senior citizens and early retirees who are free to travel as and when they choose, who often wish to stay longer than the conventional holiday period, but who also have to consider a smaller budget than might previously have been available for their holidays and travel. Moreover, Seniors, with their years of experience and self-confidence, are often the most intrepid of travelers.

Probably the most successful exchanges occur when ‘like’ exchanges with ‘like’; ie between seniors. To facilitate ‘networking’ (another favourite buzz word in our technological age) between members of this group, we recently introduced a new icon ‘S’ to be seen on the Summary Listings, and a new Advanced Search on the Detailed Search page.

GTI Spring 2005 Newsletter

The Spring issue of the GTI Newsletter, published at the end of March, is now available on the web-site and has been distributed to Newsletter-online subscribers. Topics in the newsletter
included GTI Home Exchange member Louise Collette's article,
-- A First Home Exchange Experience
-- A Review of Member Features on GTI Home Exchange
-- Home Exchange Email Etiquette
-- The Great Debate - Open or Registered Access to Home Exchange Sites
-- The Email Address Merry-go-Round
-- Advertise on our Rental by Owner Web-site
-- GTI Weblog Discussion Items

My Place for your Place.....

This week we were delighted to receive a letter from Nancy Dunnan, publisher of Travel Smart, advising us that Green Theme International Home Exchange is recommended in their current issue.

TravelSmart selects Green Theme International as “having the most imaginative search and match services: boating, fishing, golf, horseback riding, tennis, walking, car exchange disabled access, pet care, seniors”, to name but a few .

The article errs on the cautious side of home exchange and suggests, “if you wish to eliminate hotel bills by exchanging your home or apartment for someone else’s, start well in advance; it can be a lengthy process. And keep in mind that although a picture may be worth a thousand words, a picture can also be deceiving. So ask questions. As for additional photos. Ask for references. And, if possible, ask a friend to check out the house or apartment in person".

TravelSmart, in its 29th year, is the oldest consumer travel newsletter in the US. “We tell savvy people how to travel the world. We do not accept advertising and therefore report about travel issues without prejudice. As a result, our readers trust (and act upon) our recommendations and we have an unusually high renewal rate – over 60”.”

Thank you, Nancy, for the recommendation, and we are pleased to link to your web-site:
TravelSmart so people can get additional information.

The Great Debate - Open or Restricted Acces Home Exchange Web-sites

We occasionally receive emails from prospective members who query why the GTI Home Exchange web-site does not allow casual browsers on the site (ie non-members) to send exploratory enquiries to members, thereby broadening their home exchange possibilities. This could be done without revealing members' personal contact information. So why not? Where's the risk?

Our view has been that by opening all our listings to the public the whole database becomes casually 'surfed' and dilutes the overall success of our members in finding an exchange. We feel that our nominal membership fee helps to ensure a participant who is seriously committed to the concept of home exchange travel, and as a result our members enjoy a very high rate of successful swaps. Our high ratio of regularly subscribing members who renew their membership year on year is evidence of this. We understand that members of clubs which are open access often have a more difficult time arranging an exchange, with the need to weed out the many responses received which are just inquisitive and exploratory, and not necessarily genuine and motivated.

However, we are always keen to listen to members' points of view and would welcome discussion on this issue.

No Internet Access - Can I still list my home for exchange

Q:Dear GTI Home Exchange

I don’t have internet access at home as yet, although we hope to set this up shortly. Is there a way I can list my home for exchange now and see other people’s listings?

hello GTI home exchange,

We have a question, is it possible to take care of a house (for instant in Italy) without exchange with our own house? Is there a list for it? Must we be a member of your organisation for this. I hope, you will soon react,
M Weeber, The Netherlands

A: You do need to have access to the internet to view listings on the GTI Home Exchange website and to be a member to see the contact information for other members in your own member area once you join, but this does not necessarily mean that you have to have access from a home computer, as there are now a number of alternatives. Many libraries provide public internet access at very low rates, some employers allow some personal surfing time at work too,
and there are also numerous internet cafes, even in the most remote locations, so check out what is available in your area. Jo Chambers (HE14242) who wrote our weblog article "Have Scooter, Will Travel”, about her trip to Australia, says “I do this in the library “, and added “I hope more people get inspired to put their experiences on line”.

GTI Home Exchange business is occasionally carried out from more remote locations if the necessity arises. In fact we are currently operating from a computer in a small village in the Creuse department of France, where we are house-sitting and looking after two lovely standard French poodles, whilst there owners are away on holiday in Dubai. (Incidentally, house-sitting is another option included on the membership form, which can be offered using the GTI Home Exchange system).

So to answer M Weeber's query from The Netherlands:
House sitting is an optionn which can be offered alone or in conjunction with other alternatives when you fill in the membership registration form. But it is not requested or offered as frequently as home exchange, so it is more difficult to set up this arrangement, especially if you are seeking a very specific location.
It is necessary to be a member to participate whether it is for home exchange or
housesitting, as by becoming a member you have access to the contact details of all other members.

Joining Green Theme International Home Exchange

QUESTION: After partially filling in your membership registration form Join Now, I intentionally stopped the exercise since I had not got photos available.
Can I register now and have my listing released and add some photos later?
Eugene Flaherty.

ANSWER: Yes, of course. You can complete your registration
without the need to go through the whole process of completing the membership application form again by pasting this URL in the address line of your browser:

http://www.gti-home-exchange.com/ihea/memberlogin.cfm

Login with your email address and the password which you
created when previously filling out the membership application form.

This will take you to your own form. Click on 'Continue' at the bottom of the form to save the details you have entered to our database, and then proceed to the payment page to complete your subscription with a secure credit card transaction.

Love is in the Air

The ever-increasing size of the home exchange community provides evidence of the fact that there are many reasons why people decide to explore the possibility of finding a 'home-from-home' with home exchange. Many people wish to trace back their family tree and explore their roots, others to visit family or friends without imposing on them (especially if their trip involves long-haul travel, and they wish to stay a little longer to make their journey worthwhile). However, with spring just around the corner, we have noticed that there is more of a romantic angle to some of the exchange requests. Two of GTI's recent members (HE16500) and HE16433 are seeking exchange offers in specific locations to attend weddings.

In the past we were even inadvertently party to some match-making - though we had no intention of being a dating agency - an American lady member met up with an old flame from the past purely by chance when on an exchange to the UK, and with both their circumstances having changed, the flame was rekindled and they married. As far as we know, their only problem was in deciding in which country to live permanently, but as far as I know they sorted the problem out by testing out locations with further home exchanges!!

Please keep your email addresses updated

If you wish to make the most of your membership of GTI Home Exchange I cannot stress enough how important it is to keep your email address and other contact details updated on your listing, so that other members may send you their exchange offers, and so that any enquiries automatically sent from the site using the Enquiry Form provided are delivered.

Adding Temporary Insurance cover to your Car Insurance

Dear Kath
Thankyou for your response - a few updates/bits of new information

- the insurer that I was having problems with is Morethan (part of Royal/Sun Alliance I think) and they told me that they have the same underwriting condition of 'Confirming that any additional driver has had more than 6 months driving in the UK in the last 5 years' (whether or not they were being asked to add a named UK driver and UK resident, a UK resident living overseas, or an EU resident, or a non EU resident).

I went to a brokers(Swinton) to ask them to see what other insurers would do. According to them, some insurers adopt a much more reasonable approach by allowing 'up to 28 days a year cover for any additional driver' (or drivers), however, as adding a driver consitutes a change of contract with the insurer, they would have to consider each driver circumstances individually before adding them, and work out the additional premium cost accordingly. I asked to see these policy terms in writing before making a move to this alternative insurer but they (& they suggested, any company) did not have this in writing as it was 'a temporary and negotiated contract change', nor could this company 'Broker Direct' guarantee whether or not at the time of the exchange (in our case July) that their underwriters would still adopt the same approach. The expected annual additional cost compared to my existing insurance was about another £40-£50 a year (on top of which would be the additional fee for adding a driver at the time (to be confirmed). Therefore I was recommended to stay with my cheaper insurer for the time being, and seek to reinsure at the end of June to find someone who was at that time willing to add named driver(s) as above!!

It is a catch 22 therefore. It may be that some swappers have company cars which may allow more comprehensive cover, but I don't know. As I imagine that most people like us are planning swaps Jan/March (or even before) for a summer swap, I am intrigued that anybody can make a hard & fast assurance that a car swap will be acceptable because their insurer may not until only a few weeks before, be able to confirm that they will do this.

Phew!

Anyway I will be telling my swappers that we should still go ahead with a planned car swap as part of our exchange but that I will ensure that I arrange this in the month prior to the swap as I do not think that I can do anything else.

The worst case scenario is of course that both or one party has to hire a car and book this a few weeks before and it may be that I am trying to confirm all possible arrangements too early....

Anyway. I hope that this helps. If there are any other more friendly (and cheap!!) insurers out there who are more in tune with house swapping, I would be pleased to hear from them!!
Neil